Brooklyn Quadriplegia Injury

Quadriplegia is an injury to the spinal cord that causes complete paralysis from the neck down and loss of motor control and feeling in the arms and legs. Usually, the injury is caused by the severing or compression of the spinal cord in the upper vertebrae of the spine. Those upper vertebrae are usually crushed or broken, rendering the victim immobile, helpless and dependent on others to live. It is expensive and painful to live life as a quadriplegic. There are many different situations that can lead to this life-altering condition. For example, a slip and fall on an icy sidewalk, a car accident, or a construction accident could result in a severe spinal cord injury. If you are in need of a personal injury lawyer because you or a family member has been in an accident and suffered a spinal cord injury, it is important that you immediately contact an experienced Brooklyn personal injury lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. You should do so quickly, as there are time limits that you must follow when you file a personal injury claim.

While paralysis can occur suddenly following a traumatic injury to the spinal cord, in some cases paralysis may not occur until days or even weeks following the injury. Signs that you may have damage to your spinal cord that may lead to paralysis include:

• Acute back pain
• Pressure in the back, head or neck
• Weakness in any part of your body
• Lack of coordination
• Tingling in your hands, fingers, feet or toes
• Numbness or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes
• Incontinence
• Difficulty walking
• Impaired breathing
• Twisted neck or back
• Muscle spasms

There are many causes of spinal injuries that lead to full paralysis. For example, a car accident construction accident, or slip and fall accident could all lead to a severe spinal cord injury that results in quadriplegia. In addition, paralysis is sometimes caused by medical malpractice. Some types of malpractice commonly seen in relation to these injuries include:

• Incorrect positioning of the patient during surgery
• Failure to immobilize the spine after an accident
• Failure to monitor spine during surgery
• Chiropractic malpractice
• Intubation errors

Quadriplegia can cause a number of health complications including blood clots, pressure sores, spastic muscles, respiratory problems, and loss of bladder and bowel control. Treatment of a spinal injury that results in paralysis is costly. Following the injury a quadriplegic will require an extended period of treatment and rehabilitative care. You will have to adapt to daily living without the use of their arms and legs. You will likely need physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, and counseling. In addition, you may need to move or modify your home to make it accessible. Your medical treatment, equipment, and therapy are all quite costly and may cause you financial distress. In addition, you may no longer be able to work and earn a living. Thus, while your expenses are increasing your income may have substantially decreased.

A personal injury lawsuit against the business, government entity, or individual responsible for the accident will not only hold that person accountable for the negligent acts but will also provide you and your family with needed financial relief. Through a personal injury action you can seek compensation to cover your medical expenses, modifications to your home or vehicle, and equipment needs to help with your rehabilitation and daily living. You can also seek compensation for your lost earnings and loss of earning capacity. Furthermore, you may also be compensated for the pain and suffering you endured as a result of the injury.

If the injury that resulted in your paralysis was work-related, then you may be entitled to workers' compensation (link to: http://injury.1800nynylaw.com/brooklyn-workers-compensation.html) benefits. New York's workers' compensation laws state that injured parties are entitled to compensation if they sustain a work-related injury. Compensation often comes in the form of medical expenses, lost income and benefits, loss of ability to earn, and more. However, it is important to note that worker's compensation benefits are limited. Just because the accident occurred at work does not necessarily mean that you are limited to the benefit available through workers' compensation.

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident that resulted in temporary or permanent paralysis contact an experienced attorney who understands both the legal issues associated with personal injury cases as well as the medical issues associated with quadriplegia, paraplegia, and other types of paralysis. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in handling personal injury cases stemming from auto, truck, motorcycle, boat, and construction accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.